A new glimpse at Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Millie Gibson will be absent from the episode, Doctor Who's 2024 seasonal adventure will star Bridgerton and Derry Girl's Nicola Coughlan as one-time companion Joy.

With less than a month until Doctor Who returns to screens on Christmas Day, the cover for the issue of Doctor Who Magazine revealed by the official Doctor Who Instagram has given a new look at the Fifteenth Doctor. While his outfit remains unchanged from past previews, Gatwa's Time Lord is holding a newspaper with several nods from writer Steven Moffat's tenure as showrunner. Alongside the return of his "Timey Wimey" phrase from "Blink" in the paper's title, two nods to Smith's debut in 2010' "The Eleventh Hour" are featured in the paper.

Alongside an update to the episode's villain Prisoner Zero's incarceration status, the paper also highlights a nod to a duck pond mystery, a reference to a conversation between the Doctor and Amy when he asks her why a duck pond is called that when it has no ducks.

What Prisoner Zero's Surprise Cameo Means For Doctor Who's 2024 Seasonal Special

The Episode Already Has Several Nods & Connections To Past Adventures

Though it may come as a welcome surprise to many who were introduced to Doctor Who through Smith's era of the series, it is unlikely that Prisoner Zero will make any appearance within the episode. Instead, it is simply an element of Moffat using references to create a more fleshed-out and interconnected canon, something that his era is notable for.

While Prisoner Zero may not appear in the episode, there is a key antagonist created by Moffat who will play a key role in "Joy to the World". As seen in the Children In Need 2024 preview clip, arms manufacturer Villengard are the figures behind the mysterious Star Seed energy source that poses a threat to the universe. Villengard made their last major appearance in Doctor Who season 14's "Boom", as they are the manufacturers behind the deadly devices used in the episode. As such, there is no shortage to Moffat's contributions to the series lore within the episode.

Our Thoughts On Doctor Who's 2024 Special's Eleventh Doctor Nod

Could More Easter Eggs Be On The Way?

Smith's Doctor Who debut in "The Eleventh Hour" remains one of the strongest Time Lord debuts within the series' history, offering a fresh entry point that perfectly highlighted the values of the lead character, the stylistic approach Moffat took to the series, and Smith's take on the character. As such, it is one of Smith's strongest adventures as the Eleventh Doctor.

While it may only be an easter egg to its writer's tenure as showrunner, "Joy to the World's" references are sure to leave fans with a smile. Furthermore, with Prisoner Zero having a surprise nod in the episode, many may wonder which other Doctor Who references audiences may be gifted with in the 2024 seasonal adventure.

Source: Doctor Who/Instagram